Secretariat:

Regrets:

The Draft Agenda was approved.

Ralph Nordling moved the minutes of April 2 & 3, 1998 be approved as written.

Lucy van Oldenbarneveld seconded. MOTION PASSED.

Yvonne Harris, Manager, Resource Planning, Renewable Resources presented the possible options for developing the next State of the Environment Report which is tentatively scheduled for presentation to the Legislative Assembly in the Fall of 1999. Input was sought on the approach to be taken for the next SOER: update the '95 Report or focus on a topic with a scaled-down update.

The Council put forth the following suggestions:

1. Ensure the value and integrity of the document as an educational and research tool.
2. include a two or three page summary of successes and failures
3. integrate traditional and local knowledge in a more comprehensive manner throughout the report; include the technical information available from those First Nations that are now responsible for their land and resources
4. ensure that the data from the previous report is completely updated
5. identify emerging problems and long term cumulative effects on the environment
6. ensure a strong link between the review of YCS and the preparation of the SOE
7. consider options available to promote the report to ensure that it is a widely distributed and useful document

Skeeter Wright, Senior Analyst, DAP Commission presented the Council with an update on the progress of the Development Assessment Process (DAP). A better understanding of DAP, CEAA and the tri-partite discussions was gained by the Council as well as an understanding of the complexity of the topic.

Brent Slobodin, Department of Education, presented an overview of the training strategy. The strategy will be redrafted and forwarded to Cabinet by the end of summer 1998.

1. Draft Operating Procedures

   The draft operating procedures were approved with the following changes included:

   1. Section 2.1.5 shall read, "Quorum shall consist of a minimum of at least fifty percent of the total membership of the Council including the Chair or Vice-Chair. Council may determine when a higher level of attendance is required for quorum."
   2. 6.1 shall include, "in writing" after recommend. To read: Council may recommend, in writing, to the Commissioner in Executive Council that a Council member be suspended or removed from the Council for the following reasons:
   • Cause as is generally recognized in law;
   • Non-attendance at three consecutive meeting of the Council; or
   • Violation of the Council's Operating Procedures

   Council suggested making these available to other Boards and Councils for their information or to use as a precedent.

   ACTION: Secretariat will draft a letter from the Council to other Boards and Councils. YCEE's operating procedures will be forwarded with the letter.

2. Draft Annual Report

   The draft annual report was reviewed.

   ACTION: Secretariat will prepare a final draft of the Annual Report and review it with Daryn and Kathy who were members of the previous Council. A final draft will be presented at or before the September meeting. A request for a detailed report of the budget to date was made.

3. Web Site

   The possibility of establishing a web site was discussed. Ralph and Lucy expressed an interest in working on this with Toby.

   ACTION: To be explored and set up by the end of the summer.

4. Other
   • Newspaper articles pertaining to Elizabeth Dowdeswell's public discussion during the Circumpolar Conference were distributed as well as an article on the Arctic Council College.
   • Secretariat will be maintaining a Reading File. Council will be informed of what is contained in this file on a regular basis and the documents made available to members upon request.
   • Council was advised that the Delgamuukw Forum would not be taking place before summer. Council decided to pursue conducting a fall session both for the legal society and the public.
   • Speaker series will be developed for the winter. Input on topics is welcome.

1. Canada-Yukon Business Services Centre

   Kandice Shelton, Information Assistant from the Canada-Yukon Business Service Centre presented the Council with a general overview of the services provided by the Centre as well as an update on their developments since inception in April 1997.

2. Trade and Investment Diversification Strategy

   Michael Brandt, Department of Economic Development presented an overview of the initiatives being planned under the Trade and Investment Diversification Strategy.

   These included: The Immigrant Investors Fund, Business Reform Packages, FAM/Investor Tours, Prospectus of Investment Opportunities and Import Substitution.

   The Council raised the question of a Code of Ethics for the Immigrant Investor's Fund among other concerns.

   ACTION: Economic Development offered to provide more details on each initiative to the Council including a draft initial import substitution paper in approximately six weeks. The Chair will write to the Minister expressing the Council's comments and concerns.

3. Review of Tax Regime

   Norm McIntyre, MacKay & Partners presented a review of the tax regime to the Council.

   ACTION: The Working Group will:

   • explore the options from the paper presented and flesh out more details for recommendations
   • become more involved in the overall diversification strategy
   • meet with Norm McIntyre, MacKay & Partners the week of June 15, 1998

A lengthy discussion was had regarding the task of the Council in reviewing and recommending revisions to YCS. Dr. Tony Hodge, Consultant, attended the meeting to assist the Council with the process of assessing sustainability, using the YCS as the tool.

Lindsay Staples, Consultant, presented the Communication Strategy for the 1998/1999 year.

Staples suggested to the Council that a tangible initiative to undertake would be advising government on a diversification strategy (short-term and long-term) from a regional and community perspective.

The next meeting will be held near the end of September.

Council requested an update on the effect of the fire near Haines Junction and Champagne Aishihik First Nation's developments be incorporated into the next meeting.

Meeting adjourned at 4:20 P.M.

______________________________________

Jennifer Mauro, Chair